Taiwan Food Atlas

Puxin Story House

A century-old Japanese-era dormitory complex that tells the industrial story of Taiwan's tea cultivation and export
📍 Taoyuan · Yangmei District · Puxin⛩️ Historic Sites & Temples🔖 Listed as a historic building in 2014 · Japanese colonial-era Tea Research Station dormitory · hinoki structure

Puxin Story House is a tea-culture exhibition hall converted from a Japanese-era staff dormitory of the Yangmei branch of the Taiwan Tea Research Station in Yangmei District, Taoyuan. The original building dates to 1907, was registered as a Taoyuan City historic building in 2014, and reopened under the Taiwan Tea Society's operation in March 2022. The center retains its intact hinoki wood structure and traditional Japanese construction methods, with a permanent exhibition tracing the complete industrial arc of tea from cultivation, rolling, and roasting to export, allowing visitors to read the century-long story of Taiwan tea within a historic building.

Puxin Story House occupies a staff dormitory built in 1907 for the Yangmei branch of the Taiwan Tea Research Station (originally founded as the Anpingzhen Tea Testing Station in 1903) — the oldest surviving building on the site. It was registered as a Taoyuan City historic building in 2014, restored by the Taoyuan City Government at a cost of about NT$25.3 million, and reopened on March 17, 2022 under operation by the Taiwan Tea Society.

Highlights of Puxin Story House

The Yangmei branch of the Taiwan Tea Research Station was established during the Japanese colonial period and dedicated to improving Taiwan's tea varieties and production processes. The dormitory cluster consists of wooden Japanese-style buildings with sloping tile roofs; the interiors retain hinoki wood floors, sliding doors, and ceiling beams, with the building form typical of colonial-era official residences. After being listed as a Taoyuan City historic building in 2014, restoration work was carried out while preserving the original structure, and the site was transformed into a cultural exhibition venue.

The center's permanent exhibition combines text, images, and artifacts to present the development of Taiwan's tea industry. Key topics include the differences in processing between oolong tea, bāo zhǒng tea, and other Taiwanese tea varieties, as well as the historical context of Taiwan tea exports to Europe and America from the 19th to 20th centuries. A garden with Japanese-style plantings surrounds the building, complemented by the tea trees growing nearby. The atmosphere is tranquil — a rare cultural and historical space in the surrounding area.

How to Make the Most of Your Visit

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Observe the architectural detailsNotice the grain of the hinoki wood floors and the wooden lattice design of the sliding doors. The sloping tile roofs and rafter-end trim both retain Japanese colonial-era craftsmanship — a place well worth slow exploration for those interested in architectural history.
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Learn about Taiwan's tea historyThe permanent exhibition traces the story from Han settlers introducing tea plants in the Qing dynasty, through modernized tea production in the Japanese colonial era, to the postwar export transformation. The narrative is clear and well-paced, suitable for visitors interested in Taiwan's agricultural history.
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Photography in the Japanese gardenThe Japanese garden outside the building features wooden architecture set against seasonally varying plantings. Spring's fresh greenery and autumn/winter's fallen leaves both offer photographic value; mornings with good light are the best time to shoot.
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Pair the visit with local tea productsSome local tea products from the Yangmei area may be available for purchase. Before visiting, it's worth checking with the venue staff or researching whether any nearby tea farms sell directly — pairing a purchase with the exhibition content deepens the experience.

Practical Information

Getting There & Timing

  • Located in the Puxin area of Yangmei District. Accessible by car with parking available. For opening hours and closed days, refer to official announcements from the Taoyuan City Cultural Affairs Bureau; hours may be adjusted for events.
  • About 5 km from Yangmei Train Station. Accessible by taxi or rented scooter — confirm the venue is open before departing.

Nearby Connections

  • Wei-Chuan Puxin Farm (sp-ty-21) is in the same Puxin area of Yangmei District — planning a same-day visit works well as a parent-and-child half-day itinerary.
  • Yangmei Old Street and a local agricultural produce market can serve as extended stops; check specific activity dates before departing.

Sources: Taoyuan City Cultural Affairs Bureau historic building records, on-site survey records. Hero image pending Dio's original photography.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the building housing Puxin Story House built?

The building was originally a staff dormitory of the Yangmei branch of the Taiwan Tea Research Station, built in 1907.

When was it registered as a historic building?

It was registered as a Taoyuan City historic building in 2014, then restored by the Taoyuan City Government.

When did Puxin Story House officially open?

It reopened on March 17, 2022, operated by the Taiwan Tea Society under an OT (operate-transfer) arrangement.

What does the exhibition focus on?

The permanent exhibition centers on Taiwan's tea industry, from cultivation to export, within the original hinoki-wood dormitory structure.

Sources

🗺️ View on the map ← All Taoyuan attractions